Bynum Still Hasn’t Heard Back on Possible Suspension

It’s still uncertain if Kobe Bryant or Andrew Bynum will be available for today’s 6:30 p.m. game against the Portland Trailblazers at Staples Center, although it appears no news is good news for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant did not practice Saturday because of a sore neck and sprained ankle suffered in recent games.

After Friday’s game, when he hurt his neck in a collision with Martell Webster, Bryant said he would be ready for today’s game.

“I’ll be ready (against Portland) for sure,” Bryant said. “I promise you that. I’ll be more than ready.”

But on Saturday, none of the Lakers players or coaches confirmed he’d be in the lineup.

Bynum’s status is in the hands of the NBA, after he was slapped with a flagrant foul 2 on Friday, failing to go for the ball and sending Minnesota bigman Michael Beasley to the floor awkwardly with a fore-arm shiver on Beasley’s way to the basket.

Bynum was ejected from the game, which the Lakers won 106-98.

Traditionally, the league informs teams of suspensions at least a day before games, but game-time suspensions have been handed down from time to time. The NBA is reportedy reviewing the play this morning.

Stay tuned.

During today's TV broadcast, Bynum's flagrant fould will surely be compared to his foul of Gerald Wallace (who the Lakers face tonight) two years ago, a foul that sent Wallace to the hospital for injuries that included a partially collapsed lung and broken rib.

It should be noted, however, that Bynum wasn't suspended for that foul, but we'll have to stay tuned for the fallout from Friday's flagrant.